‘We dominated’ - Garry Monk ‘extremely proud’ of Leeds United after Derby are sent packing

GARRY MONK wants everyone involved with Leeds to continue pushing in the right direction after his side moved up to third in the Championship with a 1-0 win over Derby.

Leeds have been one of the Championship’s surprise packages under Monk this season and they made it five straight victories without conceding at Elland Road on Friday night courtesy of Chris Wood’s header.

The result moved United eight points clear of seventh-placed Derby and added to the feel-good factor around the club after Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani last week acquired a 50 per cent stake.

“I’m extremely proud of that group tonight,” said Monk.

“My challenge to the players before the game was to show everything we’ve been building. I wanted them to do it in front of our crowd, the cameras and against a very good side in Derby.

“I think we did that from the first minute to the very last.

Kemar Roofe in action against Derby County.

“We dominated from start to finish. We had a real stranglehold in that first 45 and didn’t let them breathe. We played some excellent football, created chances and were dangerous from set-pieces - we had everything.

“The only criticism I have is we had them where we wanted them physically in that last 15 but we just had to be a bit more patient with the ball.

“But I’m extremely proud of that performance. The atmosphere was unbelievable again in this old school, atmospheric stadium.”

Leeds spurned numerous chances during a one-sided first period - centre-back Kyle Bartley particularly guilty after missing a glaring opportunity - but they finally broke through on the stroke of half-time through Wood’s 17th goal of the season.